NFL 10 "Week 13" Talkback

[The Penguin]

After being teammates in Atlanta for three years, tonight, Michael Vick and Matt Schaub lead their new teams into Thursday Night Football. Vick's Eagles find themselves with the tie-breaker lead in the NFC East while Schaub and the Texans have struggled in the AFC South. Schaub will be able to throw to WR Andre Johnson tonight, who was fined but not suspended for fighting with Cortland Finnegan of the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

WEEK 13
Thursday, December 2, 2010
HOU @ PHI, 8:20 PM

Sunday, December 5, 2010
BUF @ MIN, 1:00 PM
CLE @ MIA, 1:00 PM
JAC @ TEN, 1:00 PM
NO @ CIN, 1:00 PM
DEN @ KC, 1:00 PM
WAS @ NYG, 1:00 PM
CHI @ DET, 1:00 PM
SF @ GB, 1:00 PM
OAK @ SD, 4:05 PM
ATL @ TB, 4:15 PM
DAL @ IND, 4:15 PM
STL @ ARI, 4:15 PM
CAR @ SEA, 4:15 PM

@ , 8:20 PM

Monday, December 6, 2010
NYJ @ NE, 8:30 PM

[The Penguin]

On Thursday night it was Eagles 34, Texans 24. Philadelphia came back to win in the fourth quarter, which going into today puts them at the top of the NFC East and Houston at the bottom of the AFC South.

The Giants will need to beat Washington today to keep pace with their division rivals while the Cowboys are at the struggling (for them anyway) Colts. Also today, the AFC West-leading Chiefs host the Broncos after Kansas City Coach Todd Haley refused to shake Denver Coach Josh McDaniels' hand after they were blown out and the Broncos kept piling on in Denver. The team in the NFC driver's seat, Atlanta, visits NFC South rival Tampa Bay later this afternoon on a field not fully recovered from yesterday's Big East Championship game.

Tonight, the battle for the AFC North continues with the 8-3 Ravens hosting the 8-3 Steelers. Baltimore won earlier in the season, which was the last game of QB Ben Roethlisberger's suspension. Roethlisberger is likely to be less mobile than usual as he injured his foot last week.

Monday Night Football has one of the biggest match-ups of the week with the AFC East on the line. The 9-2 Patriots will visit the 9-2 Jets in a game that may very well decide the division (and perhaps the conference, where they have the top records). New York won in week 2, 28-14.

[purplehairedwonder]

Wow, the Falcons did not play well today (2 INTs, yikes) but really dug deep to come up with that win. They proved that they could win on the road as well; not to mention that the field was not in great shape after yesterday. Matt Ryan is one helluva 4th quarter quarterback. And Atlanta is now 10-2.

[Taekmkm]

Bears, kill yourself. How do you let a third-string QB run for that much AND a touchdown?

And good job for not existing again, O-line. Get fired into the sun.

[Kiddington]

I know this sounds lame, but... keep the losses coming. As far as I'm concerned, it'd do no good for the Lions to start winning now. Get another high draft pick, and start building for next year. Same old song and dance, I know, but there's really not much else you can do at this point. What good would come out of finishing at 4-12?

No matter how things turn out, I just hope this lost season doesn't end up costing Jim Schwartz his job. He's a good coach, and the team really isn't as bad as their record would indicate. Had things had gone differently, they could very well be 6-4, or even 7-3 right now. If they could have ever learned to shut it down, and close out a game for once, they'd have been fine. Probably still not a playoff team, but I think they'd, at least, be better than Minnesota right now.

[bigddan11]

What the heck is happening to the Colts? Manning has thrown 11 interceptions in 3 weeks. Meanwhile Dallas, after blowing a 27-14 lead, managed to improve to 3-1 under Jason Garret with their 4th pick of the game in OT, with 2 of the picks being returned for Pick 6's. The Cowboys defense looks drastically improved since Wade Phillips was fired, and Jon Kitna continues to remain one of the top QB's in the league since Romo was injured. It's just a shame Dallas isn't in the NFC West, since they'd win the NFC West playing the way they currently are, at 8-8.

Meanwhile Leslie Frazier is now 2-0 as the Vikings coach, though they were playing Buffalo. Still, it was one of the Bills worst losses of the year (38-14).

(4-8) Dallas Cowboys 38
(6-6) Indianapolis Colts 35
OVERTIME FINAL

I will say this for the Colts. While the AFC South is struggling this year, they still find themselves only 1 game behind Jacksonville (7-5) and only 1 game ahead of Tennessee and Houston (5-7) for the AFC South title. Basically in the AFC South and NFC West, only the division champions are going to make the playoffs. The question though I have to ask is which 2 of those 8 teams will rise up and claim the top spots in these final 4 weeks.

[Wonderwall]

Really Miami? I look past losing to teams like the Jets, Patriots, Steelers, you know good teams...but the Browns?! They're not the worst team but not a team to lose to. Well at least Oakland beat San Diego, so not a total loss.

[bigddan11]

Really Miami? I look past losing to teams like the Jets, Patriots, Steelers, you know good teams...but the Browns?! They're not the worst team but not a team to lose to. Well at least Oakland beat San Diego, so not a total loss.

Cleveland is not a bad team this year. That 5-7 record is a bit deceiving. Keep this in mind. When Colt McCoy became the starter in Cleveland, the Browns went 3-2 with two of the three losses being by a combined 10 points to the NY Jets (lost by 6 in OT with less than a minute to go) and Jacksonville (lost by 4 in regulation on the last play of the game). Colt may have been the third stringer at the start of the year, but he has been the Browns most consistent QB, has a winning record as their starter, has won the hearts of the fans, and will be the starter for years to come. While I don't think the Browns will make the playoffs, they have a chance to finish .500 or better with Buffalo, Cincinnati, home for Baltimore, and home for Pittsburgh left of the schedule. Keep in mind that Baltimore only beat Cleveland by 7, and it was before Colt played and while Delhomme was injured. Pittsburgh faced Colt in his first game as a starter, and his lack of experience on the pro level is what led to most of the interceptions during that first game. He hasn't committed them since. I would be surprised if the Browns don't take one of those two to finish at least 8-8, and if Delhomme goes down, I fully expect Colt will still lead them to the win/ upset.

Also keep in mind that the Browns have wins over New England (by 20) and New Orleans (by 13), both with McCoy as the starter. There losses are basically to teams that will be in the post season this year: Kansas City (lost by 2), at Baltimore (lost by 7), at Pittsburgh (lost by 18), at Tampa Bay (lost by 3), at NY Jets (OT), at Jacksonville (by 4), and Atlanta (10 points). Out of that group only Tampa wouldn't be in the playoffs if they started today.

[Wonderwall]

While they might be a better team than in previous years, if you have a losing record they're still a mediocre at best team as good teams find ways to win which they have not really done against good teams. It's not like they're Carolina bad. And...they're the Browns..nobody likes losing to the Browns

[bigddan11]

While they might be a better team than in previous years, if you have a losing record they're still a mediocre at best team as good teams find ways to win which they have not really done against good teams. It's not like they're Carolina bad. And...they're the Browns..nobody likes losing to the Browns

Um, no, and I think the stats and points I share here will back it up. The Browns are by far one of the least appreciated teams currently in the NFL that has been subject to many injuries and is still finding a way to win despite using their third and fourth string players in most games.

1) Believe it or not, but Cleveland has had the hardest schedule in the NFL this year. That's right. Cleveland's non-division AFC games were against Kansas City and Jacksonville, both leaders in their divisions. There games are against the AFC East, NFC South, and AFC North. There four meetings against Pittsburgh and Baltimore put them above each of the AFC East team's in terms of difficult schedules, since the Pats only play the Jets twice and the Jets only play the Pats twice. Their NFC in the NFC South are by far the hardest division in the NFC this year and the division with the most winning teams in football as only Carolina has a losing record in the NFC South. Despite this, the Browns have managed to go 5-7 and won 4 of the last 6 while soundly defeating New England and New Orleans. Their only losses in the last 6 games came on the last play of the game and both were on the road.

2) I previously mentioned the injuries. Let me get more specific on the injury front. The Browns have had a different starting offensive line in every game of this NFL season until this week. That's how banged up they have been. When you've had 13 weeks not knowing who your starters will be because of injuries and still are 5-7 with the hardest schedule in the NFL, then your pretty dang good. To further emphasize this, I'll point out that Delhomme has started a total of 4 of the 12 games the Browns have played, and they used their third string QB as the starter for 5 games and posted a winning record during his starts.

3) Have you even looked at Cleveland's RB? If you haven't, you might want to start doing so, because he's going to the Pro Bowl. Despite the injury issues, Cleveland has one of the top RB's in the league in terms of yardage and has touchdowns in Peyton Hillis.

So let me get this straight. You are calling the Browns mediocre solely because they have a losing record when they have had the hardest schedule in the NFL, a different starting lineup in 11 of 12 games this season, and when they have a running back who is ranked in the Top 5 of the league? You are calling the Browns mediocre when all 7 of their losses are to teams with winning records? If you take Cleveland out of the AFC North and place them in any other division this year outside of the two they are playing, then Cleveland is a 10-2 division leading team. I don't like Eric Mangini, and I'm know Browns fan, but I have enough respect for the game that I realize just how good the Browns are. Any realistic studier of the game should have the Browns as one of the top 10 teams in the NFL at this moment.

[Punisher]

That was a painful loss last night. The upcoming schedule is not very favorable at all-@Houston, New Orleans, @Cleveland, Cincy. The Ravens need to prove that they are a playoff team and win these games. Going 2-2 down the stretch will not cut it. I was really buying into the notion that the Ravens could end up as a number one or two seed and get home field and a bye, but now they will have to push it to just get the wildcard.

Ugh.

[ABrown]

I know this sounds lame, but... keep the losses coming. As far as I'm concerned, it'd do no good for the Lions to start winning now. Get another high draft pick, and start building for next year. Same old song and dance, I know, but there's really not much else you can do at this point. What good would come out of finishing at 4-12?

I only agree with that logic when it comes to the NBA. Because in the NBA getting that one good draft pick can completely turn your team around. In every other sport (like the NFL), it takes a complete team to be successful. One good draft pick isn't going to turn your team around.

[Kiddington]

I only agree with that logic when it comes to the NBA. Because in the NBA getting that one good draft pick can completely turn your team around. In every other sport (like the NFL), it takes a complete team to be successful. One good draft pick isn't going to turn your team around.

I'm not saying one high draft pick is going to turn the Lions around, but it certainly can't hurt. Having one more good, young player to build around will be a big help in the future. I'd rather they keep losing, and get a top 5 pick, as opposed to start winning games when it doesn't matter anymore and end up getting something in the 6-10 range (or even lower).

Again, I know that sounds lame, but "playing for pride" isn't going to get them anywhere at this point.

[Grave]

I was not expecting the Patriots to beat the Jets like this. I mean I like both teams and I was expecting a great game (probably in the 20's) but wow, I didn't think the Jets would get blown out like this. I'm happy though .

[JPPT1974]

IMHO, the Colts won't make the playoffs. The way that they are playing. Because you can't blame Peyton Manning for the three losses and INTs he is getting. He is playing with a bruised line and replacement WRs. Despite Pierre Garcon and Reggie Wayne in the game. PM can't do it all and plus, their running game is non-existant.

Titans will fire Jeff Fisher afraid to say. After this season. As Vince Young could win games IMHO. Despite his immaturity!

Fins stink at home. As they really only one like one home game all year! You are suppose to do well at home. But no, not the Fins!

[macattack]

Josh McDaniels got booted out of Denver. From all of the NFL teams that got players from the guy: thanks for being an idiot.

Anyone willing to bet how long Tim Tebow lasts before he meets the same fate?

As for the Bears game, I get the feeling that the D did take the Lions lightly until Marinelli lit a fire under their asses for the second half. That was going to be an upset if the D didn't wake up. Cutler was efficient but unspectacular, par for the course over the last few games. Nice to see both Taylor and Forte score too.

Bears D better be ready for Patriots, though. Tom Brady will light 'em up if the D plays like they did against the Lions.